Toni Eames M.S. &
Ed Eames Ph.D

Toni Eames M.S. and Ed Eames Ph.D

Toni Eames M.S. and Ed Eames Ph.D., Adjunct Professors of Sociology at
California State University, Fresno, live with Golden Retriever guide
dogs, Keebler and Latrell and cats, Bonanza, Kismet, Bambi and Nifty. 
Toni has been partnered with guide dogs since 1967 and Ed since 1981. 
Ed and Toni have co-authored A Guide to Guide Dog Schools and "Partners
in Independence: A Success Story of Dogs and the Disabled."  An
award-winning DVD , Partners in Independence, illustrating the work done
by guide, hearing and service dogs, was produced with the support of
Hills Pet Nutrition. Fort Dodge Animal Health sponsors their lectures at
veterinary schools and veterinary conferences.

Ed and Toni publish in many animal and disability-related magazines.
Both are recipients of prestigious Maxwell awards from the Dog Writers
Association of America.   In addition, they are itinerant educators and
do workshops focused on people with disabilities, particularly those
partnered with assistance dogs, for airlines, hotels, graduate social
science programs, nurses, disaster relief workers and other
organizations.  Toni was the first blind handler working with a guide
dog to obtain an AKC CD and CDX.  Ed and Toni are founding board members
and officers of the International Association of Assistance Dog
Partners, a consumer advocacy organization with more than 2,000
members.  In recognition of her work on behalf of disabled people, Toni
was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Persons with
Disabilities in 1998.

RELEASE OF ASSISTANCE DOG DVD

Celebrating the human animal bond, Partners in Independence
illustrates the wide variety of tasks performed by assistance dogs to
enhance the quality of life of their disabled partners. This DVD is
filled with real life scenes of appealing working dogs. Guide dogs,
who assist the blind and visually impaired, are shown safely
negotiating the environment, guiding their partners on public
transportation and using intelligent disobedience to avoid a speeding
car.  Hearing dogs, who assist the deaf and hard of hearing, are
portrayed alerting to a smoke alarm, a crying baby and the partner's
name.  Service dogs, who assist individuals with other disabilities,
are depicted opening a refrigerator, retrieving a crutch and pulling
off socks.

Information is also presented about puppies preparing for future
careers as working assistance dogs. A variety of young dogs are shown
learning to walk on slick floors, ride in elevators and calmly lie on
the floor in a restaurant.

Professionally done, this engaging video is a visual delight that
will be of great value in educating the public about the role of
assistance dogs in the lives of their disabled teammates. It will
also be of interest to those considering partnering with an assistance dog.

This 12-minute video sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition was written
and produced by Ed and Toni Eames.  It is being used as a fund raiser
for The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners(IAADP),
a cross disability consumer advocacy organization.

Order it online at www.iaadp.org or by sending check or money order
made out to IAADP in the amount of fifteen dollars ($15.00) to Ed
Eames, 3376 North Wishon, Fresno, CA 93704. A companion book also
called Partners in Independence is available. from the authors for
$20, including handling and postage.  Please make check payable to Ed
Eames and send to 3376 North Wishon Ave., Fresno, CA 93704-4832.


 

The IAADP Website